CROWD PLEASERS HELICOPTER AIR SUPPORT SHOWCASED IN VALLEY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

LAKE VIEW TERRACE - Aircraft lovers of all ages visited Hansen Dam Park on Saturday for a helicopter air show, an annual event more popular this year because of increased public interest in law enforcement since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Spectators were allowed to climb into any of 25 helicopters from different agencies such as the Los Angeles Police Department, the U.S. Army and Navy, and the U.S. Customs Service.

Those who pilot the aircraft were on hand at the ninth annual American Heroes Air Show to explain how helicopters work.

``These are expensive machines and people get a chance to see where their tax dollars are going,'' said LAPD police Officer-Pilot John Mardesich.

He gladly explained to listeners the different equipment in the Astar helicopter, which residents sometimes see shining a light into their neighborhoods in pursuit of crime suspects.

``We can educate people on what they're seeing. We tell them when you see the light, close your door and turn on the lights,'' said Tactical Flight Officer J.T. Alpaugh. ``We tell them they want us there because ... if the suspect moves, we're going to get him.''

The helicopter pilot communicates the ``play-by-play'' of what he sees from above to guide police officers on the ground, Alpaugh said.

Event organizer Jim Paules said that since Sept. 11, public agencies are more enthusiastic about participating in the event, with law enforcement agencies making more of an effort to recruit applicants.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation had several booths at the event to spotlight its different units, including crisis negotiators and the SWAT team.

``Everyone has that whole American-spirit thing going on,'' said Voviette Morgan, an FBI special agent. ``They're more interested in careers in public service and they're more curious.''

Jane Johnson, who owns The Fire Connection, L.A. County Fire Department's shop that sells Fire Department apparel and novelties, said that normally firefighters are the ones purchasing her $10 T-shirts, but lately there's been more public interest in buying shirts that commemorate New York City firefighters.

In fact, next week she will visit New York to donate the money she's raised from selling the shirts, Johnson said.

During its nine-year history, the event has grown from a small air show to a large one, thanks to the participation of a diverse group of agencies, including search-and-rescue and swift-water-rescue teams.

In addition to checking out the booths set up by different law enforcement and public health agencies, spectators took rides on a helicopter or viewed antique firetrucks and ambulances on display.

``As I look around, there is a larger component of families to talk about the role of law enforcement in their communities,'' Paules said. ``Before, it was more involved with law enforcement and military personnel in the business.''

On Saturday, people crowded around a Black Hawk helicopter, similar to the aircraft featured in the movie ``Black Hawk Down,'' and the L.A. County Fire Department's Air Squad unit's new Firehawk, which has the capability to collect a large amount of water in 50 seconds and carry it to a fire.

Six-year-old aircraft enthusiast Gage Alan Morgan, who has model Army planes at home, excitedly pointed to his favorite helicopters, saying he had talked to their pilots and sat in the different aircraft.

``I wanted to take him out and show him,'' said Gage's father, Keith Morgan. ``I knew he'd like it. I'm really glad I came.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) Air boss Jeff Miller signals directions to an L.A. County sheriff's helicopter as it lands at Hansen Dam.

(2 -- 3) Above, L.A. County Sheriff's Department's Air Rescue 5 demonstrates a hoist operation. At left, two fathers help their sons check out an attack helicopter at the American Heroes air show Saturday at Hansen Dam.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News